By: Chris Nosek

Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres (Buffalo leads series 3-2)

What a game, holy crap! Jeremy Swayman showed every reason he got the contract he signed heading into last season. He is the biggest reason the Bruins pushed the game to overtime. The Bruins were better in several areas of the game, including hits, blocked shots, takeaways, and faceoff wins. However, it took another great pass from Hampus Lindholm to David Pastrnak to get him on a breakaway to beat Alex Lyon for the game-winner. Several guys stepped up for Boston, and the only goal they allowed was Buffalo’s power-play goal, finally breaking through.

Original Prediction: Boston Bruins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Boston Bruins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Boston Bruins advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 3: Boston Bruins advance in 7 games
New Prediction: Boston Bruins advance in 7 games

Minnesota Wild @ Dallas Stars (Minnesota leads series 3-2)

Coming into this one, I expected Dallas to get some better bounces at home and to take this one. Instead, it was Kirill Kaprizov having his best game of the series, and Matt Boldy who stepped up in a major way for Minnesota. The goal Boldy scored that was called back was the correct call, but he got his tally later while they were on the power play. Both teams are starting to get banged up, so Minnesota will want to do everything it can to finish off this series. The series heads back to Minnesota, and they will have a great crowd behind them. If Dallas can push through the first 10 minutes of play, they have a chance, but that’s a challenge I’m not sure Oettinger will be up for.

Original Prediction: Dallas Stars advance in 7 games
Prediction after game 1: Minnesota advances in 7 games
Prediction after game 2: Minnesota advances in 7 games
Prediction after game 3: Dallas advances in 6 games
Prediction after game 4: Minnesota Wild advance in 7 games
New Prediction: Minnesota Wild advance in 6 games

Anaheim Ducks @ Edmonton Oilers (Anaheim leads series 3-2)

I was a bit leery about my expectation that the Oilers would push back in this game when I saw that Connor McDavid was listed as a game-time decision. Despite being hampered, he was always determined to do everything he could to gut it out and help his team. However, the fact that he’s not even playing his center position on his own line shows you just how banged up he really is. Connor Ingram was fantastic after getting a breather in game 4 in favor of Tristan Jarry. Despite being pulled in this one, Lukas Dostal is still the best goaltender between the two teams. Husso did great for his 47 minutes, and if there is something that Dostal is going through, the Ducks should have all the confidence in the world in turning to Husso. Having the Anaheim crowd behind them in game 6 will help the team get behind whoever is in goal, and I would expect them to put this series away. Expect a major push from Edmonton, but I think Anaheim can hold them off.

Original Prediction: Anaheim Ducks advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 1: Edmonton Oilers advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 2: Edmonton Oilers advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 3: Anaheim Ducks advance in 6 games
Prediction after game 4: Anaheim Ducks advance in 6 games
New Prediction: Anaheim Ducks advance in 6 games